throw·back
ˈthrō-ˌbak 
1
: one that is suggestive of or suited to an earlier time or style
his manners were a throwback to a more polite era
2
a
: reversion to an earlier type or phase : atavism
b
: an instance or product of atavistic reversion
threw back; thrown back; throwing back; throws back
1
: to delay the progress or advance of : check
2
: to cause to rely : make dependent
they are thrown back upon … native intelligence—
Michael Novak
Michael Novak3
: reflect
: to revert to an earlier type or phase
Examples of throwback in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Wenxin Fan, NPR, 11 Apr. 2025
The episode is both a glorious throwback to classic science fiction (especially Star Trek) and a thrilling look forward into the questions the digital world raises around personhood and agency.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Kaitlyn Rosati, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025
The Handmaid’s Tale Season-Premiere Recap: Trainwreck June and Serena are thrown back together as fugitives and mothers in an exquisitely taut season premiere.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for throwback
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Noun
Chai's return coincides with growing restrictions in China Chai's followers note that her show is a throwback to an era that has largely evaporated since Xi took power in 2012.
—Wenxin Fan, NPR, 11 Apr. 2025
The episode is both a glorious throwback to classic science fiction (especially Star Trek) and a thrilling look forward into the questions the digital world raises around personhood and agency.
—Barry Levitt, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
Unlike other dives in the city, most customers aren’t throwing back innovative cocktails instead of beer and shot specials here.
—Kaitlyn Rosati, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025
The Handmaid’s Tale Season-Premiere Recap: Trainwreck June and Serena are thrown back together as fugitives and mothers in an exquisitely taut season premiere.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for throwback
Cite this Entry
“Throwback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throwback. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
throwback
noun
throw·back
ˈthrō-ˌbak
: something that has changed back to an earlier type or phase
Medical Definition
throwback
noun
throw·back
ˈthrō-ˌbak
1
: reversion to an earlier type or phase : atavism
2
: an instance or product of atavistic reversion
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